Barbara's facial expression suddenly changed to that of concern. "Mia, why are you home? Isn't your sister still in school?"
Although her words sounded like she was being concerned about her stepdaughter, Mia knew they held an hidden meaning.
The witch simply meant: 'why aren't you being serious with your studies like your sister?'
The woman was purposely brewing up trouble for her in front of her father. Again.
This wasn't surprising. Mia was used to it. Barbara always does this.
"Yes, why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be in school?" Mia's father bellowed.
But Mia still couldn't get over the shock she received every time her father took his wife's side, falling into the witch's trap over and over again. Why? He'd never taken her, his daughter's side. Not once.
"Have you gone deaf?" Mia's silence was begining to irk the man.
"Dad," She looked directly into his eyes, hoping to find even the littlest bit of affection in their depths. "Were you not informed that I fell ill?"
Her father's brows furrowed. "Ill?"
He looked over at his wife.
"Yeah, the school called and said that she slipped and passed out. But she was immediately rushed to the hospital." Barbara let out a small smile.
Then the expression her face changed to a shocked one. "Oh my!"
"I didn't tell you--I thought I did!" She clasped her hands over her mouth at once.
Mia almost puked. Liar!
Her father was unaware of her situation, obviously. But she knew Barbara didn't forget to tell him about it. The woman must have intentionally kept the information a secret from her father.
But she must say, the witch sure knew how to act really well. Well, it was what had kept her in her father's house for so long. Acting.
"Old age must be getting to me." Mia's stepmother chuckled. "Baby, I'm sorry. Thankfully, here she is, looking as healthy as ever."
And once again, the witch had managed to flip the table on Mia, making the girl get on her father's bad side.
Although, her words made her seem like she was grateful and happy that Mia was hale and hearty, she'd instead meant that since Mia came all the way home then there was absolutely nothing wrong with her, and that she'd probably faked the whole scenario.
Mr. Thompson's head shot up at his daughter. "Since you've been discharged from the hospital, why didn't you return to school? Why did you come home instead?"
Mia's heart shattered at the sight of her father's cold gaze. Was this man really her father at all?
"Do you think I pay your school fees just for the fun of it?" Are you trying to let my money go to waste?!" He yelled angrily.
No. This was definitely not her father she grew up to know as a child. The man had changed, completely.
Ever since the death of her mother, Mia'd naver found favor in the sight of her father. But when her mother was alive, things used to be so sweet... but...
And to think that her father had been cheating on her mother way before the woman died... because how then would one explain Vivian being a few months older than her?
"If you don't want me to put an abrupt stop to your education, return to school this minute!" Mr. Thompson threatened irritably.
MIa inhaled sharply as tears began to strean down her face. The man had changed completely.
Slowly, she tore her blurry gaze away from her father and planted her eyes on the woman seated next to him on the couch.
Barbara had a victorious smirk on her face as she eyed wretched Mia. Good for the girl! What was she thinking, coming home to meet her and her husband? Did she actually think they'd be thrown into a frenzy just because she simply passed out? Must be a joker.
She'd have to remind the girl that everything that once belonged to her were now her's and her daughter's. And nothing would change that.
Feeling dejected, Mia began to take slow steps out of the house. More tears streamed down her face as she stepped outside.
Sniffling as she wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, she caught sight of the cab that brought her here. She instantly recollected that she'd not yet paid the driver.
Earlier on, when they arrived, she'd told the man to wait--with the intention of lending money from whoever she met at home...
"Young girl! Why are you wasting my time?! Do you know how long I've been here--you kept me waiting for so long when I'm supposed to be working!" The agitated cab driver barked at her as soon as he saw her.
Mia sniffled again and quickly walked down the steps to meet him. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." She bowed her head repeatedly.
The cab driver humphed, "anyways, just give me my money and let me be on my way." Mia's heart skipped a beat. How was she to tell him that she wasn't with his money? If she goes back inside now, her father might really stop funding her education.
What was she to do now? She fidgeted and her lips started to quiver.
"Answer me, girl! You're wasting my time!" The man thundered angrily.
He was beginning to lose his patience due to the girl's attitude.
Mia's lips quivered the more. She wished for the ground to open and swallow her up.
Exactly at this moment, her father, as well as her stepmother, came out of the house.
The couple had resumed watching their favorite comedy show when, all of a sudden, they heard a commotion outside. They decided to come see what was going on.
Alas! It was the rebellious daughter. Again. Mr. Thomson heaved a frustrated sigh. What was the girl still doing in his compound?
"What is the matter?" His deep voice resonated through the whole mansion.
The cab driver ran his eyes over the man who'd just spoken. Seeing how dressed he was, he decided the man was definitely rich. PLus, the way he spoke just now made it seem like he was the owner of this huge house.
He cleared his throat, "this young girl has refused to pay me after rendering her my service." pointing at Mia who simply lowered her head in shame.
Mr. Thompson landed his gaze on his daughter at once. "Is that true?"
Slowly, Mia raised her head and her gaze met her father's.
"With raged breathing, she nodded her head. "Yes."
HER father's eyes snapped shut in annoyance. Why did this stupid child always choose to embarras him?
A couple of seconds later, the man opened his eyes.
"Don't I give you enough money for upkeep?"
Mia's head fell once again and she bit on her lip till it almost bled out. She was to blame. Only if she hadn't passed out last night...
"Darling, don't be mad at her." Barbara tried to calm her husband down.
Then she said, "although you give Mia and Vivian the same amount of money for their upkeeps, Mia might have other things she uses her upkeep money for--it might not be enough for her."
Which simply means that Mia spends money lavishly on irrelevant things.
This made Mr. Thomson's blood boil the more. He instantly turned and faced the cab driver. "If she doesn't provide your money, take her to the police station. Better still, do as you please with her."